the mumbai took office, we were losing 750,000 -- at the much i took office, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month. this is the eighth consecutive month of private job gloats -- jew private job growth. that is positive news. it reflects the steps we have taken to break the backs of this recession. it is not nearly good enough. we need to take further steps to create jobs and keep the economy growing, including extending tax cuts for the middle class and investing in the areas of our economies where the potential for job growth is greatest. in the weeks ahead, i will discuss these in more detail. one thing we all have to do right now, something we have to be responsible for doing right now, is to lift up our small businesses, which account for over 60% of job losses in the final months of last year. that is why, once again, i am asking congress to pass my jobs bill its first order of business when it is back to session this month. this is what this is so important. who up until this past may, we were not only waiving fees for october norse who took out small business administration loans, w